It’s strange. After my last grading (where I went from 5th to 3rd Kyu) I decided I should really wait around a year before trying again. I’ve promoted pretty fast in my view, and as that is mostly contest oriented, it would be a good idea for my “general” Judo skills to also come up to the right level.
But it’s always the same. I get anxious after six months or so, and start to go against my original intentions.
Some of those I train with have had great successes recently. Two new Dan grades (one by line-up, always awesome). A new brown belt. A new fellow blue belt. Some new-to-Judo players starting to climb the ranks. And various others heading along to gradings to demonstrate their skills within the week.
My own Judo has developed, although in a way it has changed (Becoming left-handed is a huge shift). I have a new favourite technique or two, but still enjoy the old ones.
So… I don’t know. I really don’t. One advantage of staying Blue involves the Blue Belt And Under competitions, which are fun.
Short-term, I have a competition coming up, and the Referee Practical examination. Should I follow those up with a grading?
Another factor has now come into play: The BJA are changing the grading structure. The current rumour would indicate this would include Senior Kyu grades, making anything up to 2nd Kyu theory only. It would be nice to get up there before this so I don’t need to worry about the new system.
Worry is perhaps too strong a word: I’m not afraid of the theory, but I would like the option of the competing element, and it would seem it may not be available once the changes come in.
Time will tell…